First Sailor Raditaka Mardiansyah Wants His Younger Brother to Become a Soldier

TUBAN (April 26, 2021) - The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Galih Pakuan Bogor Residential Center is still moving to provide psychosocial support services for the families of the victims of KRI Nanggala 402, in accordance with the directions of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini that the Ministry of Social Affairs also empathizes and provides moral support for the families of the victims of the KRI Nanggala 402.

Tuban Regency was the last location visited by the team from the Galih Pakuan Residential Center. The team visited the families of victims of Raditaka Mardyansah whose address is in East Kesamben Hamlet RT 05 RW 01 Kesamben Plumpang Tuban.

The team met the victims' fathers and mothers as well as several relatives and families who were also there to provide support. The victim's parents seemed steadfast in facing the event that occurred to their child.

The victim's mother, Sutiah, told about the chronology when she first received information about the sinking of the KRI Nanggala where her son was one of the crew members. "I panicked, cried, I tried to call my brother, at that time we could only cry," said Sutiah.

Furthermore, the victim's father, Mugiono, added that all he could do at that time was to calm his wife. "Thank God, his mother is now a little better, from yesterday until 10 this morning, his mother still did not want to talk much, only since this afternoon, his mother could talk again," said Mugiono.

First sailor Raditaka Mardiansyah who is usually called Dika, born March 27, 1994, is known as the second child of four siblings. His father is a former motorcycle taxi driver who has now quit due to frequent illness and his role has been replaced by Raditaka, while his mother is an ordinary housewife. His older brother, Ari Sugiono, is also a Navy soldier, now serving and living in Central Sulawesi with his wife and children. His younger brother, Ahmad Faisal Setiawan, has now graduated from high school and is in the process of registering to join the Navy school, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers. Meanwhile, the youngest sibling, Bima Yuda Prawira, is still in grade 2 at SDN Kesamben 01.

From the stories told by Dika's parents, the team could see that Dika was a big brother who really inspired his younger siblings, and he was also a child who could make his parents proud. The victim's parents also said that Dika was an independent child, did not bother his parents, became the backbone of the family, and also helped his younger siblings go to school.

One of Dika's goals that have not been fulfilled is to help his younger brother, Ahmad to become a soldier. "You have to become a soldier so that someone can replace me, help father and mother and also send Bima to school after I get married later." That was Dika's message conveyed to Ahmad as told by his mother.

Raditaka also previously planned to get engaged in July after being in a relationship for 9 years with his partner. This tragedy also of course left deep sadness for his future wife.

Besides providing psychosocial support to strengthen parents to remain steadfast when they lose their child, the team also tries to bring back their happy moments when they were still with Raditaka. One of the team members, Lukman Fajar Suwardiana provided reinforcement for the victim's parents. "Many people have lost Radit for sure, it's also natural to be sad, but right now the important thing is for the family to be steadfast, to keep the spirit up, and to strengthen one another," said Lukman.

The family also expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Social Affairs for their concern and support. During this visit, the families of the Raditaka victims began to look strong, as they had smiles and enthusiasm.

This psychosocial support service is carried out as a form of strengthening for the victims' families so that they are strong and able to rise from the sadness they experience.